'Innocent bystander' fatally shot during 'No Kings' protest in Salt Lake City, police say
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'No Kings' rallies across US draw big crowds to protest Trump
Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators filled the streets across the country in coordinated "No Kings" marches to protest President Trump.
An "innocent bystander" was killed after being caught in the crossfire between a person who pulled out a rifle at demonstrators and members of a peacekeeping team for the "No Kings" protest in Salt Lake City on June 14, authorities said.
The shooting occurred at around 7:56 p.m. local time while a large crowd of demonstrators marched through downtown Salt Lake City, the Salt Lake City Police Department said in an update on June 15. Officers who were facilitating traffic during the protest, which drew about 10,000 people, reported hearing gunfire.
The gunshots caused hundreds of people to flee for safety, with some hiding behind barriers and running into nearby parking garages and businesses, according to the Salt City Police Department.
Officers immediately responded to the scene, secured the area, and searched for any active threats, police said. Officers discovered a man who sustained a gunshot wound and provided emergency care.
The man, who was identified on June 15 as Utah resident Arthur Folasa Ah Loo, 39, later died at the hospital. Police said the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner will determine the official cause and manner of death.
A preliminary investigation revealed that Ah Loo was participating in the "No Kings" demonstration and is believed to be an "innocent bystander who was not the intended target of the gunfire," according to police.
Police accused Arturo Gamboa, 24, of brandishing a rifle at demonstrators and running away from two peacekeepers, who ordered him to drop the weapon. Police said Gamboa and Ah Loo were both struck by gunfire after one of the peacekeepers fired three rounds.
"Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the 39-year-old man who was killed, and with the many community members who were impacted by this traumatic incident," Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd said in a statement. "When this shooting happened, the response of our officers and detectives was fast, brave, and highly coordinated. It speaks to the caliber of this great department and our law enforcement partners."
The incident remains under investigation, police said, adding that they are also looking into the actions of the peacekeepers.
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After officers reported hearing gunfire, they were notified at about 8 p.m. of another man with a gunshot wound in the area. Police said they found the man, who was dressed in all black clothing and wearing a mask, crouching among a group of people.
As officers approached the scene, police said witnesses pointed out a nearby firearm, which was described as an AR-15-style rifle. Officers also discovered a gas mask, additional black clothing, and a backpack in the area.
The man was later identified as Gamboa and was transported to a local hospital, according to police. Investigators later took Gamboa into custody, and he was booked into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on a murder charge.
Officers also detained two men who were wearing neon green vests and carrying handguns, police said. The men were identified as members of the peacekeeping team for the "No Kings" demonstration.
The two peacekeepers told investigators that they saw Gamboa leave the crowd of demonstrators and move into a secluded area behind a wall, which they found suspicious, according to police. One of the peacekeepers told investigators that he saw Gamboa pull out an AR-15-style rifle from a backpack.
The peacekeepers then drew their firearms and ordered Gamboa to drop the rifle, police said. Witnesses reported to authorities that they saw Gamboa lift the rifle and run toward the crowd while holding the weapon in a firing position.
One of the peacekeepers fired three rounds, according to police. One round struck Gamboa, and another round hit Ah Loo.
"Detectives have not been able to determine, at this time, why Gamboa pulled out his rifle and began to manipulate it or why he ran from the peacekeepers when they confronted him," police said. "Detectives have developed probable cause that Gamboa acted under circumstances that showed a depraved indifference to human life, knowingly engaged in conduct that created a grave risk of death and ultimately caused the death of an innocent community member."
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Shooting occurs during widespread 'No Kings' protests
"No Kings" demonstrations across the United States drew large crowds on June 14. The protests, which were mostly calm and peaceful, were held in opposition to President Donald Trump's policies and coincided with the controversial parade for the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary in Washington, D.C.
A demonstration in Northern Virginia, about 70 miles from Washington, D.C., was met with violence after a man intentionally drove an SUV through a crowd of departing protesters, striking at least one person, police said.
Police in Los Angeles hit protesters with batons, fired tear gas, and ordered a large crowd in downtown to disperse; authorities said they were responding to people throwing "rocks, bricks, bottles," and "fireworks" at officials.
Meanwhile, authorities said a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband were killed and another lawmaker and his wife were injured at their homes by a man impersonating law enforcement in what Gov. Tim Walz called a "politically motivated assassination."
In a statement, the "No Kings" group said it was adhering to guidance from the Minnesota State Patrol and Walz, who urged people not to attend any rallies on June 14.
Contributing: N'dea Yancey-Bragg, Sarah D. Wire, Jeanine Santucci, and Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY
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